natural deodorants... nvr
Posted by hespedal on Jun 25, 2007 · Member since Mar 2006 · 5259 posts
ok so i am REALLY sick of using the aluminum antiperspirant for a million different reasons, the largest being health.
the other day i bought a natural deodorant only. i finally decided to try it out. problem is i sweat SO MUCH. i thought it wouldn't be any worse because i sweat when i have on antiperspirant, anyway, but no, i sweat even more if that is possible.
anyway, i was just wondering if anyone who sweats a lot has had any luck with natural alternatives? i really don't want to use aluminum anymore but i hate sweating everything up!
I switched from aluminum based deodorants last fall. I started with a simple baking soda/water paste and have been pleased with it. Sometimes I add a drop or two of essential oil, if I'm feeling girly. The only issue is that it is a bit gritty, thus can be an irritant. I have a non-aluminum stick that I keep around and use a couple of times a month, if my pits get red and itchy. My experience is that especially at first, it doesn't seem to work as well as the aluminum ones. I have had this discussion with others and our general consensus is you need to give it at least a month for your body to adjust. Eventually it will.
I live in the southern US and I am an interior designer. I meet with clients all the time and it is close to career suicide if you stink or have huge sweat rings. It's just the way it is. I have noticed that I will get a little damp on a hot day, but honestly, I don't think that's different than before. And I've also noticed that with the baking soda, it lasts for a few days, even after a morning run! My secret/sure/dove or what ever chemical stuff that I used to use couldn't even do that.
Hope that helps. Perhaps you could hold off until the weather cools off, so it's not so much of a dramatic change (that's what I did, as recommended by a friend who pointed out that it takes time to adjust).
Good luck!
I use Nature's Gate Organics. They have great smells, and last.
The thing is, if you're switching from an anti-perspirant ... it's going to take some getting used to the natural ones. Anti-perspirants work by clogging the area so that the sweat can't get out. When you finally stop using them, your body is like "wow, yea, let's cleanse." Hence why you perceive that you're sweating more.
Give it 4 weeks. Really. I know it's a long time, but when I first made the switch I would apply the natural deodarent, like, 7 times per day. Seriously. Because I thought it wasn't working, I smelled, etc. Right now, I put it on in the morning ... and I'm fine all day. No, it's never going to keep you 100% dry like Secret ... but you shouldn't smell, and you will NOT sweat huge amounts like you may be now.
Right now, I run 8 to 10 miles ... obviously, after that, I'm drenched in sweat ALL over. But, I don't smell bad. Outside of exercise, I find that my sweating is really at a minimum - and, only, when other parts of my body also perspire, i.e. my face.
Also, you might need to shop around and find the right natural deodarent for you.
I'm trying to switch over to natural deodorants right now too. I don't have the problem of excess sweating that you're experiencing. I've found that it's causing me to be really red and irritated. I was wondering if it's the same solution that someone mentioned that I'd have to stick it out for a month to see if my body adjusts.
Here's a link to the measurements and comments by users of the baking soda concoction:
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=14463.0
Sounds like it works great against odor, while maybe not completely eliminating 100% of sweat, but most of.
I tried using an all-natural deodorizer stick from Whole Foods and was very disappointed. Then I tried "Crystal Stick" from WF and I absolutely love it! Easy to use, lasts all day- no odor, not 100% sweatproof but does cut down on it and I exercise a lot- 100% natural mineral salts, safe for the environment, non-staining- no residue, and lasts up to a YEAR so it's pretty darn cheap considering it only costs about $4-5. Here's a link to the manufacturer with FAQ's: http://www.thecrystal.com/faq.cfm
Edit: I just read Crunchy's post. I only tried my all-natural deodorant for about two weeks before I gave up on it because of it not eliminating odor. Maybe I would have seen different results if I'd given it a couple more weeks then. ;)
thanks for the replies.
that's a good point about the cleansing, i should definitely give it some more time. and waiting until it is cool seems like a good idea, i just don't know how much longer a can put on normal antiperspirant without feeling like i am killing myself slowly...
i don't have a problem with smell, fortunately. i am just a very sweaty person :). i also work out a lot(running about 8 miles/day). and ride my bike everywhere.
After trying many aluminum-free deodarants, I finally found two - both from Lush - that passed the California heat test.
I had much success with both Aromacreme, and the Aromaco natural deodarants. These two and other Lush deodarants are on this link.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_bt/002-9150220-7581611?url=node%3D11056411&field-keywords=lush&Go.x=8&Go.y=4
The reviews are mixed. I prefer the Aromacreme, mainly because I don't care for the Aromaco patchouli scent.
If you have a Lush store near you, you can request a small sample before you buy it The small sample lasted me a long time.
Your pits may be sensitive at first early on, but after a few applications it should be OK. I apply it before I go to bed and in the morning and haven't had any problems with offending odors -- at work, in exercise class, in public settings -- even in 80 - 90 degree temperatures.
Oh my word, I just discovered the crystal thingie... it is the most wonderful thing for me. No fear, no gooey grease to get on my clothes, and I don't stink!
It even seems to control the wetness a little, that is until it doesn't... when it gives out, it gives out all at once. If you shower, you don't have a "grace period" like you do with carcinogenic aluminum deodorant, either... you must reapply in order to suppress bacteria, because you've rinsed it right off.
You can use it on your feet or your sweaty underwhatever, too. I'm a fan.
I haven't had a whole lot of luck with natural deodorant yet. I tried those crystal things, and I smelled awful. I bought some Tom's of Maine deodorant not too long ago, and I had the first allergic reaction to deodorant in my life. I couldn't stand to wear any kind of deodorant while I had that disgusting rash under my arms. I was starting to stink, and the rash was not going away, so I tried a mix of corn starch and a spritz of water. Messy, but it worked like a charm.
This topic came up before on this board so you can check this link for additional testimonies.
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=13691.0
Tom's of Maine's deodarant didn't work well for me either.
I've had the same problem.
For over a year, I've jumped around between Tom's and Jason's and Avalon Organics and I STILL have to apply them 3-4 times a day. :'( :'( I tried to go back to the Aluminum junk, but it is too strong and burns now.
The crystal works a little better for me. I usually have to reapply only once with that.
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The reviews are mixed. I prefer the Aromacreme, mainly because I don't care for the Aromaco patchouli scent.
If you have a Lush store near you, you can request a small sample before you buy it The small sample lasted me a long time.
Your pits may be sensitive at first early on, but after a few applications it should be OK. I apply it before I go to bed and in the morning and haven't had any problems with offending odors -- at work, in exercise class, in public settings -- even in 80 - 90 degree temperatures.
( I somehow goofed this up. The above is supposed to be a quote from Saskia) I agree. I really like Aromacreme too. I had a bad reaction at first but after awhile it stopped bothering me and now it's not a problem at all. I love the smell of it and it really does work.
I use Nature's Gate Organics. They have great smells, and last.
The thing is, if you're switching from an anti-perspirant ... it's going to take some getting used to the natural ones. Anti-perspirants work by clogging the area so that the sweat can't get out. When you finally stop using them, your body is like "wow, yea, let's cleanse." Hence why you perceive that you're sweating more.
Give it 4 weeks. Really. I know it's a long time, but when I first made the switch I would apply the natural deodarent, like, 7 times per day. Seriously. Because I thought it wasn't working, I smelled, etc. Right now, I put it on in the morning ... and I'm fine all day. No, it's never going to keep you 100% dry like Secret ... but you shouldn't smell, and you will NOT sweat huge amounts like you may be now.
Right now, I run 8 to 10 miles ... obviously, after that, I'm drenched in sweat ALL over. But, I don't smell bad. Outside of exercise, I find that my sweating is really at a minimum - and, only, when other parts of my body also perspire, i.e. my face.
Also, you might need to shop around and find the right natural deodarent for you.
i bought and have been using this brand for a little over a month...and i still cant seem to stop my odor! haha. never really had the problem before but now...yikes i reek.
Mine might be a little off, but if you like Patchouli (I love Patchouli), then. . .rub in some essential oil of Patchouli, then dust with dry baking soda. The baking soda keeps you dryer, but when it gives out, you don't smell one bit like sweat, you smell like Patchouli. Possibly because it is such a strong oil, I don't really know, but Patchouli is the only essential oil (of the ones I've tried) that is enhanced instead of being taken over by perspiration.
i have been using the random (cheapest one i could find) natural deodorant i picked up plus a dusting of baking soda and it is actually working great. i think even better than that aluminum crap! yay!
i think it is because i put on the natural deodorant first but i bet water would work, too?
definitely give it a try! what do you have to lose other than like 1/4 tsp. baking soda?
so i'm hearing the dusting with baking soda isn't sandpapering your armpits? i'm tempted to try it... because it is gonna be 80 this week
It can be; I've been trying to dust a bit, in lieu of making the paste lately and it seems to be working. What I've noticed is that after a few weeks of baking soda, my pits get really red and itchy, but if I skip a day or two, and go with the other natural (some french clay stuff I found at the HFS, but that's not important, sometime I use Will's Tom's of Maine, but it smells really, ummm....manly) I can go back to the soda for another few weeks. I do shave daily and that (I'm sure) contributes to the irritation.
I have pretty much stopped using deodorant :o but you should try the Tom's of Maine Apricot scent. It's not manly, and from what I remember, not too too strong and "flowery"
I have used a crystal deodorant stone for going on 8 years. For me, it works great. I do not sweat much, except when exercising. I finally bought a new Crystal Rock kind last month and keep it at my desk at work. Helps for those times I walk up the stairs or use the thighmaster I keep at my desk.
Unfortunately I am allergic to most scents. I have not found anything outside of completely pure essential oils that I don't react to. Perfume induced migraines suck. So I love my crystal, its perfume free!
I've pretty much stopped using deodorants, too, mostly because they don't seem to work all that well and instead of having b.o. you end up having a strange mix of b.o. and perfume. I just shower every morning and wear fresh clothes, hoping I don't stink too bad.... ;) I will try the patchouli tip though, I love patchouli :D
I just want to highly recommend NOT making a paste of the baking soda. Dust it on dry and there should be no irritation.
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